With the holidays in full swing, many students may be aware of the traditions of Christmas and other holidays. However, not many students may know the traditions and culture of the African American holiday, Kwanzaa. 

Thursday night, the Black Student Union and the office of Multicultural Affairs hosted their annual Kwanzaa celebration in hopes to educate students of all different backgrounds on the history and culture of the holiday. 

Bowling Green senior, Emilia Durand was unaware of Kwanzaa culture and history but said that after the event, she felt better educated. 

“I had only known what I had seen in the flyers and stuff… but now I understand that it’s more about unity and being able to open myself up more and communicate more with others… I liked the presentation of all the different meanings of all the candles and other symbols,” said Durand. 

A better-educated audience member may be exactly what hosts of the event wanted. Bowling Green senior and host of the event, Cory Jackson II, said that misconceptions and ignorance are very common when it comes to the topic of Kwanzaa. 

“One of my own personal misconceptions of Kwanzaa was you actually have to be from Africa to celebrate, and a lot of people I know or are around me think you actually have to be directly from Africa to celebrate it, and you don’t,” said Jackson. 

Regardless of the misconceptions of Kwanzaa, Jackson said it was important for students of all backgrounds to know the principles of the holiday. 

“There are a lot of misunderstandings of Kwanzaa and what it is. People are ignorant to the actual knowledge of what it is and why it’s here so I think it’s important for all students, not just students of color or minorities to know… just like it’s important to know the principles of Thanksgiving or Christmas,” said Jackson. 

The event as a whole was considered a success to the Black Student Union. President Kaylyn Collier said that the main goal of the event was for people to take away knowledge of different cultures. 

“The main takeaway that I wanted for people was for people to be learning about different cultures. Often times we see things, and we’re like ‘I’m not really familiar, I don’t really feel comfortable,’ but I just wanted everybody to feel like they could come here, and have a space where they could be themselves. So, it worked,” said Collier.